Page 4 of Crave

Damn. I feel myself blush scarlet. All his compliments are doing wonders for my ego, but maybe he’s just a bit of a player. Is this all just part of his game?

“I bet you say that to all the girls,” I tease, trying to keep my tone light, even though the thought is like a gut punch.

Grant frowns, a shadow falling over his face. His eyes are serious. Intense.

“I’m not trying to be slick or play games with you, Esme. I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, and that’s the honest-to-God truth.”

He looks so earnest that I can’t help but believe him. Maybe he really isn’t like this with everybody. The thought makes my heart flutter.

“Thank you. I—”

My voice is drowned out by the renewed cheers of the crowd as Damian Holt comes back out onto the stage holding his guitar.

Grant raises his voice and asks, “Can I take you someplace quieter? I really want to talk to you more.”

Damian starts playing one of his new releases, but I’m so distracted by Grant that I barely even hear the music. How am I supposed to focus on the song when this hot guy is looking at me like he’s a thirsty man who just found water in a desert?

“Uh, sure.” I smile, trying to keep my voice nonchalant. Yes, I will go someplace quiet with you. Heck, I’ll go to Antarctica with you. But I can’t just go off with him and leave my best friend behind. “I’ll be right back. Just going to tell Millie.”

Grant nods, and I feel his eyes following me as I weave my way through the crowd toward the food trucks. Millie has already been served. She’s walking in my direction with more soup in her hands.

“Hey, do you mind if I go someplace quiet to talk to Grant?” I call to her over the music.

Millie wriggles her eyebrows at me. “Of course I don’t mind! I think he’s the perfect candidate for some rebound fun.”

“Yeah, all your winking made that pretty obvious.”

Millie grins cheekily, taking a sip of her soup. “Girl, all you need is one mind-blowing night. I guarantee it will get you out of your Josh slump in no time. And Grant fits the bill perfectly…he’s a good guy and he’s obviously super into you.”

I press my lips together to stop myself from grinning. “Do you really think so?”

Millie gives a snort of disbelief. “Esme, are you blind? He looks at you the way I look at cheesecake! He can’t take his eyes off you.”

She’s got a point. I can see Grant from here, towering over the crowd, his eyes seeking me out. All I want to do is get back to him and get to know him better. There’s something about him that excites me in a way I can’t explain. He just feels so…right.

“Okay, here goes nothing.”

“Wait a sec,” Millie says, handing me her soup while she roots around in her purse. “A-ha!” She pulls out a condom and tucks it into the back of my jeans pocket. “Just in case.”

How is she always so prepared?

“We’re just going someplace to talk.”

Millie gives me a look that says ‘yeah right!’ and I can’t help but grin as I start to walk away.

“Be safe!” she calls. “Text me when you get to wherever you’re going, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

I’m smiling as I head back toward Grant, and I see the way his face lights up when he sees me approaching.

“All set,” I say, shivering slightly in the cold.

Grant’s eyes are shining as he looks down at me. His gaze is making my skin prickle with electricity. I’ve never been looked at like this before. I love it. I feel like he’s devouring me with his eyes.

“Let me take you someplace warm,” he says. “We could go to a bar…or if you want, my place is just around the corner.”

His place.

I hear the desire in his words: the promise behind his invitation.

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